Efficacy of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor in combination with whole-body hyperthermia in the treatment of mice infected with the polycythemia-inducing strain of the Friend virus complex

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF, CSF-1) and whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) were evaluated, alone or in combination, for their capability to influence disease progression in mice inoculated with the polycythemia-inducing strain of the Friend virus complex (FVC-P). DBA/2 mice were injected i.v. with FVC-P and were treated with 20 micrograms/dose M-CSF s.c. twice a day for 5 days beginning 6 days after injection of FVC-P and/or with WBH (between 38.8 degrees C and 40.2 degrees C) given on days 5 and 12 after FVC-P injection. Fourteen days after viral inoculation, mice were sacrificed and spleen cells evaluated for: 1) spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV), by the spleen focus-forming unit assay (SFFU); 2) SFFV mRNA and genomic DNA using, respectively, Northern and Southern analysis with a B-E-SFFV DNA probe; and 3) natural killer (NK) cell activity, by 51Cr-release assay. Treatment with M-CSF or WBH alone had a small effect on SFFU numbers but little or no effect on SFFV mRNA expression and SFFV-specific DNA. However, dramatically decreased levels of SFFU and SFFV mRNA and specific DNA fragments were observed in mice treated with M-CSF in combination with WBH, and NK cell activity was restored to normal. These results suggest the possibility that M-CSF may have a therapeutic effect in combination with WBH in the in vivo treatment of certain hematologic malignancies and/or retroviral infections.

Characterization of LiB(3)O(5) crystal for second-harmonic generation

We present second-harmonic generation characteristics of LiB(3)O(5) (LBO) crystal with different phase-matching lengths and comparison with those of beta-BaB(2)O(4) crystal. A computer program of the numerical interaction method was adopted to make the theoretical calculation of second-harmonic generation conversion efficiencies of LBO with different phase-matching lengths and power densities of the fundamental beam of a Nd:YAG laser, and the calculated result was compared with the experimental one. It is seen from the calculated and experimental results that for certain power densities of the fundamental laser beam, so long as the length of the LBO crystal is selected appropriately, a high energy conversion efficiency could be obtained. For example, an optimal external energy conversion efficiency of LBO crystal of more than 70% has been attained for several 100-MW/cm(2) fundamental laser beams. Experiments also showed that the crystal could be used under high power densities without any damage to the surface and the interior.

[A bibliographic discussion on the obstruction of arteries and the air passage in hanging]

Since conjunctival petechial haemorrhage and froth can occur when the cervical arteries and air passage are not obstructed or incompletely obstructed, it is useful to know whether they are closed or not in a suspended body when we estimate the cause of its death being due to hanging or being a disguise after killed by strangulation. We discussed their obstruction in hanging after references, as summarized in tables. Arterial obstruction: Classical data on the arterial obstruction (Brouardel, 1897; Schwarzacher, 1928) have not been cited with a definite description that the data were obtained in experiments on typical hanging. In typical hanging, carotid arteries are directly closed with the compression by a ligature. There are three hypotheses on the mechanism of the obstruction of vertebral arteries: They are due to (1) the compression on the posterior and inferior region of the mastoid processes ("posterior compression"), (2) the backward and upward compression at the same time on the thyrohyoid membrane ("anterior compression") and (3) the vertical traction on the neck ("indirect obstruction"). In atypical hanging, carotid arteries can be indirectly closed in certain head positions. Vertebral arteries are not closed by the horizontal compression (hanging in a prone position). The "posterior compression" is effective. The "indirect obstruction" seems to be in existence. In the cases where ligatures do not run on the front of the necks but on the faces, it is advisable to consult the figures prepared by Rauschke (1957) and Brinkmann et al. (1981).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fatality due to inhalation of dimethyl sulfide in a confined space: a case report and animal experiments

A man was found dead in a tank where gaseous dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was present. The concentrations of DMS in the blood and tissue samples were measured by gas chromatography. Mice were experimentally exposed to various concentrations (5%-55%) of gaseous DMS in a confined space and the course of death and DMS distribution in the bodies were observed to obtain diagnostic criteria for DMS poisoning. As a result it was considered that the cause of death of the victim was consistent with a combination of DMS poisoning and asphyxia due to a hypoxic atmosphere.

Synergistic effect of human lactoferrin and recombinant murine interferon-gamma on disease progression in mice infected with the polycythemia-inducing strain of the Friend virus complex

Mice infected with the polycythemia-inducing strain of the Friend virus complex (FVC-P) have been used as a leukemic mouse model. In the present study, purified iron-saturated human lactoferrin (LF) and recombinant murine (rmu) interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), alone or in combination, were used to influence disease progression in virally infected mice. DBA/2 mice were injected i.v. with FVC-P, and were treated s.c. with 100 micrograms LF at day 7, and/or rmuIFN-gamma at 5 x 10(4) units/day for 3 days beginning at day 6 after viral infection. Mice were assessed for survival, and also 14 days after virus inoculation, the mice were killed and spleen extracts were assessed for spleen focus forming virus (SFFV) titers by spleen focus forming unit (SFFU) assay, SFFV mRNA and genomic DNA expression, and natural killer (NK) cell activity. Treatment with LF or rmuIFN-gamma alone had little or no effect on SFFU numbers or SFFV mRNA or genomic DNA expression. However, dramatically decreased SFFV titers and levels of SFFV mRNA and genomic DNA were observed in mice treated with the combination of LF and rmuIFN-gamma. NK cell activity decreased by FVC-P was returned to normal levels by LF and rmuIFN-gamma. The combined treatment also enhanced the survival rates of FVC-P-infected mice. The results suggest synergistic suppressive effects of LF with rmuIFN-gamma on disease progression in FVC-P-infected mice. This information might be of significance as a potential therapy for patients with leukemia and those infected with retroviruses.

Whole body hyperthermia: a potent radioprotector in vivo

Interleukin-1 has been reported to be an effective radioprotective agent in mice subjected to lethal doses of irradiation. Production of Interleukin-1 can be increased by whole body hyperthermia. Therefore, whole body hyperthermia was assessed for its efficacy in protecting the lethal effects of ionizing radiation in DBA/2 mice. One hour of 40 degrees C +/- 0.2 whole body hyperthermia given 20 hr before 900 cGy total body irradiation protected 100% of DBA/2 mice from an LD 100/16 radiation dose (dose of irradiation that killed 100% of the mice in 16 days). Lethal doses of total body irradiation produced profound monocytopenia, decreased cellularity of thymus, spleen, and bone marrow, and suppressed Interleukin-1 production. Interleukin-1 production was determined using the thymocyte proliferation assay. Whole body hyperthermia accelerated recovery of blood leukocytes by up to 5 days post-total body irradiation in DBA/2 mice. Thymocytes, spleen, and bone marrow cells were activated by whole body hyperthermia, as assessed by the cell's response to Concanavalin A. This was accompanied by accelerated Interleukin-1 generation. Our results provide the first evidence that whole body hyperthermia acts as a potent radioprotector in vivo, effects that may be mediated by Interleukin-1.

Effect of split low dose total body irradiation on SFFV mRNA, genomic DNA and protein expression in mice infected with the Friend virus complex

DBA/2 mice infected with lethal dosages of Friend virus complex (FVC) can be 100% cured by split-dose total body irradiation (TBI) at 150 cGy, an effect associated with the restoration of the cellular immunity which is compromised by the virus. The exact mechanism underlying the curative effect is unknown, but it may involve the interferon (IFN) system and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Initial studies indicated that TBI did not directly inactivate the virus, suggesting that irradiation either acted on the target cells for virus replication or on other cells mediating the effect. We have now examined the effect of this relatively low dose TBI on replication, transcription, and protein expression of the Friend virus. Northern blot analysis revealed that in FVC infected mice treated with curative low dose TBI, no spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV)-specific mRNA species were detected. Southern blot analysis revealed that a 6.0 kb SFFV fragment could be detected in infected, untreated spleen cells, but not in cells from FVC-infected mice treated with TBI, or in uninfected spleen cells. Western blot analysis revealed that the SFFV envelope glycoprotein was expressed in the spleen cells from untreated FVC infected mice, but not in the cells from TBI treated FVC infected mice. These results, consistent with our previous findings of greatly reduced spleen focus forming units in mice with FVC which had been treated with this regimen of TBI, suggest the possibility of using such treatments in other retroviral associated disorders.

Effects of interleukin 2 treatment combined with local hyperthermia in mice inoculated with Lewis lung carcinoma cells

Recombinant human (rhu) interleukin 2 (IL-2) was evaluated alone and in combination with local hyperthermia (LH) in mice inoculated s.c. with 5 x 10(5) Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Four treatment regimens were begun 6 days postinoculation at a time when the tumor had grown to approximately 8.0 mm in diameter. Treatments were: group 1, saline injected as control; group 2, LH; group 3, rhuIL-2; or group 4, LH combined with rhuIL-2. LH utilized hot water circulation by a Brann Thermomix 1420. The intratumor temperature was maintained at 43 +/- 0.2 degrees C for 30 min each on days 6 and 10 and rhuIL-2 was given s.c. at 5 x 10(4) units twice a day for 5 days. Thirty mice in each group were sacrificed 28 days after tumor inoculation. An additional 20 mice in each group were observed for survival time. The size of primary tumor and the number of lung metastases were reduced and the survival time was prolonged in mice treated by either LH or IL-2. However, a greater antitumor effect in Lewis lung carcinoma tumor-bearing mice was observed using IL-2 therapy combined with LH. Tumor growth was associated with increased splenic granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells and an abnormal L3T4+/Lyt-2+ lymphocyte subset ratio (less than 1.0). Splenic granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cell numbers and the L3T4+/Lyt-2+ ratio returned to normal in the group treated with combination therapy, the best responder group. The L3T4+/Lyt-2+ ratio did not change in the groups treated with single therapy. These results suggest the efficacy and possible clinical relevance of combined therapy with rhuIL-2 and LH for certain metastatic tumors.

[An autopsy case of atypical hanging: were arteries and air passage obstructed?]

A housewife hanged herself with her left foot on a washstand and her right foot above the floor. The ligature mark encircled once horizontally at the height of the laryngeal prominence (horizontal part), crossed at the front of the neck, rose to the posterior regions of the mandibular angles and extended upward to the preauricular regions (ascending part). Petechial haemorrhage was in the conjunctivae and froth was in the air passage. Vertebral arteries are not obstructed by the compression of the horizontal part (Brinkmann et al., 1981). Vertebral arteries are possibly not obstructed by the traction of the ascending part (experiment on our own necks). An air passage is not obstructed by the compression of the horizontal part (Langreuter, 1886; Strassmann, 1922). Obstruction of an air passage by typical hanging is removed by putting the bent head to upright position (Langreuter, 1886). From these experimental observations we clarified that in our case the vertebral arteries and air passage had very possibly not been obstructed by the hanging while 70-80% of her body weight, i.e. 40-45 kg, had loaded on the neck. The force to obstruct the arteries and air passage by hanging, which has been quoted in texts and articles in Japan, is absolutely due to the value for "typical" hanging.

Sensitive solid-phase immune electron microscopy double-antibody technique with gold-immunoglobulin G complexes for detecting rotavirus in cell culture and feces

A new solid-phase immune electron microscopy double-antibody colloidal-gold technique (SPIEMDAGT) was developed and compared with direct electron microscopy, direct immune electron microscopy, and enzyme immunoassay for detecting rotavirus. Guinea pig and rabbit antirotavirus antisera were used as capture and detector antibodies, respectively, and goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G-gold complexes were employed as a label. Animal rotavirus in cell culture media and human virus in stool specimens were detected by this method. On average, SPIEMDAGT detected 800 times more virus particles than direct electron microscopy and 45 times more particles than direct immune electron microscopy and yielded 20% more positives than enzyme immunoassay. SPIEMDAGT could detect not only viral antigen associated with morphologically recognizable particles but also antigen present when whole virus particles were not visible.

[Analysis of electromyographic findings in 37 cases of thyrotoxicosis]

The EMG findings of 100 skeletal muscles in 37 cases of thyrotoxicosis are reported. The abnormal short duration motor unit potentials occurred in 78% of examined muscles and in 45% of these muscles, the incidence of polyphasic potentials increased. These abnormalities were in agreement with myopathic lesion exactly. EMG examination is a secure and sensitive method to find impaired muscles. The wide effects of large amount of thyroxin on muscle's metabolism may result in myopathic abnormalities of EMG.

Highly efficient ultraviolet generation at 355 nm in LiB(3)O(5)

Highly efficient generation of UV radiation at 355 nm has been achieved in a LiB(3)O(5) crystal through the frequency mixing of the fundamental and second-harmonic radiation of a Nd:YAG laser. An energy conversion efficiency of 60% has been obtained under the experimental conditions described here. Thus the usefulness of LiB(3)O(5) for frequency-conversion applications is demonstrated.

[Elimination of poison from Halitum violaceum by processing]

The contents of polysulphides in different forms of Halitum violaceum (unprocessed, processed with vinegar, calcinated and boiled with water) were determined indirectly by UV spectrophotometry. The results showed that the unprocessed forms are higher in the contents of polysulphides while the processed ones have little or no such contents at all. It is thus believed that the poisons can be eliminated from Halitum violaceum by processing, which helps to decrease or eliminate polysulphides and sulphides.

Development and application of immunoassay for paraquat: radioimmunoassay

A sensitive radioimmunoassay for paraquat is reported. Anti-paraquat antisera were produced by repeated immunization in rabbits with 1-methyl, 1'-hexanoic acid-4,4'-bipyridinium (MHBP) coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Less than 0.5 ng of paraquat dichloride was detectable by this assay system. These antisera were strongly cross-reactive with the bipyridyl ring and methyl group in either the 1- or 1'-position of paraquat. The determination of paraquat in tissues of paraquat-poisoned cadavers was also carried out.

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies reactive with paraquat

A set of three anti-paraquat monoclonal antibodies(MoAbs), named APM-1, APM-2 and APM-3, has been isolated. In order to evaluate the ability of these MoAbs to recognize various kinds of bipyridyl herbicides and similar congeners of paraquat, a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using avidin-biotin complex (ABC) was developed. All three antibodies strongly recognized paraquat and slightly did the other analogs. These three MoAbs are therefore advantageous to a toxicological study of paraquat and of its localization in tissues.

Immunotherapy for the treatment of acute paraquat poisoning

For the purpose of sequestering paraquat in the plasma compartment and preventing it from accumulating in tissues the effects of intravenous administration of anti-paraquat antibodies to rats were studied. After an intravenous paraquat injection of 0.1 mg/kg, the plasma paraquat concentration from rats pretreated with anti-paraquat antibodies was significantly increased and the amount of paraquat excreted in urine was significantly decreased compared to the control group. The concentration of paraquat in bile and organs except liver, was not changed by the treatment, but the paraquat level in the liver was significantly increased. Although immunotherapy succeeded in sequestering paraquat in the plasma compartment, it could not prevent paraquat from accumulating in tissues.

Relationship between methylation status and expression of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen gene

The methylation status of the 160 kD viral capsid antigen (VCA) gene promoter was determined by hybridization analysis. The semi-permissive marmoset cell line FF41-1 lacked cytosine methylation in approximately three quarters of the VCA promoter CpG dinucleotide residues. In the stringently infected HH514CL16 cell line the same CpG residues were methylated in three quarters of the genomes. 5'deoxy-5'-S-isobutyladenosine (SIBA), a DNA methylase inhibitor, was utilized to disrupt the EBV latent state. As determined by flow cytometry, SIBA treatment significantly increased expression of VCA. The VCA promoter was hypomethylated in VCA-positive FF41-1 cells sorted by flow cytometry. While hypomethylation alone was not sufficient for VCA transcriptional activity, the absence of methylation of VCA promoter CpG dinucleotide residues was associated with expression of VCA.

Retrieval of stratospheric background aerosol scattering coefficient from twilight polarization measurements

A backward Monte Carlo computation procedure has been used to simulate the intensity and degree of polarization of the twilight sky during 1977. It was found that the single scattering approximation is applicable for detection of stratospheric aerosols by twilight measurement during background periods. Based on the simulation, a scheme is proposed for retrieving the stratospheric aerosol scattering coefficient utilizing the measured degree of polarization at the 0.7-microm wavelength in the zenith direction of the twilight sky. Compared with the in situ measurement, both the retrieved total optical depth and the retrieved profile of the aerosol scattering coefficient below 30 km agree reasonably well with measurements.

Correlation of histopathological, cytological and flow cytometric findings in neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions of the bladder

Biopsy diagnosis, urine cytology and flow cytometry features of urine and bladder washings were compared in 81 cases of benign and malignant bladder disease. Some patients were followed by urine cytology and flow cytometry during treatment of tumors. There was a good correlation of the 3 parameters in relatively high grade tumors (II and III) but an inconsistent appearance of cells in the urine diagnosable by either urine cytology or flow cytometry for low grade lesions. High grade flat neoplasms may be detectable by urine cytology and flow cytometry before they are visible on endoscopy. Flow cytometry may indicate urothelial proliferation before it is apparent on urine cytology. Exfoliative benign lesions are diagnosed readily by the combination of urine cytology and flow cytometry. In benign and malignant lesions shedding of viable cells and, therefore, accessibility to urine cytology and flow cytometry are inconsistent. The need for repeated examinations in the case of low grade lesions suggests that the method is not reliable for single test screening programs but it is a valuable means of followup in cases of suspected or diagnosed disease.

Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) as a predictor for genitourinary cancers and their metastases

Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) is an oncofetal antigen found in human malignant tumors of various origins. We used radioimmunoassay to determine TPA levels in a total of 150 serum samples from 88 patients with different types of genitourinary cancers. The serum TPA level among cancer patients of all stages combined was higher than in normal healthy controls (p less than 0.05). However, when the patients with metastases were excluded from the analysis, the TPA titer was not significantly different from those of the normal controls. The difference in serum TPA between patients with local disease and patients with metastatic lesions was highly significant (p less than 0.0001). The serum TPA levels were significantly decreased in patients who responded to treatment; the levels were significantly increased in those who progressively became worse.